Steve Clarke faces one of the most consequential team-selection calls of his Scotland tenure as the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets under way. His side meet Haiti on Sunday at Boston Stadium (02:00 BST), and the midfield puzzle he must solve could define Scotland's entire tournament.

McTominay's fitness scare recedes

For much of this week, the status of Scott McTominay was the dominant talking point in the Scotland camp. The Napoli midfielder missed a training session and travelled separately to the team hotel with a doctor after falling ill with a stomach bug, sparking genuine concern about his availability.

But Clarke offered a clear verdict after McTominay returned to training on Friday, calling him "perfect" and "ready to go." Captain Andy Robertson was even more relaxed, joking that his team-mate was simply craving attention. With leadership and goals badly needed, McTominay is now widely expected to start.

"We are delighted with Scott's abilities and what he can bring to the team," Clarke said. "But we are going to need another 15 to bring the same if we want to have a positive tournament."

McGinn's place under question

The more intriguing selection riddle surrounds John McGinn. The Aston Villa captain was left on the bench during Scotland's 4-0 warm-up win over Bolivia last week in New Jersey, and was omitted entirely for the earlier victory against Curacao at Hampden.

Those absences are puzzling given what McGinn brings to this team. Across 86 caps he has scored 20 goals — fifth on Scotland's all-time list — and added 10 assists. He arrives at the tournament in the form of his life, having just captained Villa to the UEFA Europa League trophy at the end of a gruelling 53-game campaign.

Former Scotland forward James McFadden acknowledged the dilemma. "It's amazing to think there could be a Scotland team without John McGinn in it," he said. "I would expect him to come in. I just hope it is unfortunately one of the midfielders that miss out and not one of the strikers. I wouldn't put it past Steve Clarke, to be honest, but because he doesn't start the first game doesn't mean he's not going to be a massive player in the games after that."

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton took a different view. "I don't think we need to start John in the first game if I'm being honest," she said. "I felt he was tired at the Euros. It was a long season — the European campaign at Villa, the travel associated with that, and the injury he had. Do we really need to use him from the start?"

The options Clarke must weigh

Should Clarke want McGinn involved from the first whistle, one avenue is moving him out wide rather than forcing a change in the central midfield four of McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, and Ryan Christie — a combination that purred in the first half against Bolivia.

Former Scotland winger and Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has a clear preference. "I like McGinn better off the right," he said. "I like him coming on his left side and it opens up an overlap. Who is going to be better for an outball? I think we should have an outball."

Haiti are built on pace and physicality, which adds another layer to Clarke's deliberations. Whatever he decides at Boston Stadium, Scotland cannot afford a slow start — this is a must-win opener for a nation that has waited almost 30 years for a moment like this.